Pristina, January 25, 2023
Dear Government Cabinet,
Dear citizens,
In today’s meeting, we have a very important draft law on the agenda, the Draft Law on Religious Freedoms. With the proposed changes, religious communities will gain legal status.
But, before we start with the agenda, allow me to address you regarding what has been the main preoccupation of our country in recent days; the floods.
From our field visits, we have seen their destructive power up close. The damage is great, however, the danger has not passed.
The reaction of the state institutions was quick. Solidarity with each other has been great. Fortunately, the consequences are only material.
As a government, from the first moment, we have been helping the citizens in the flooded areas. Both through the Emergency Management Agency, the Kosovo Police, as well as the Kosovo Security Force, we have intervened to provide immediate support. Regional water supply companies have also made a valuable contribution to ensure the supply of drinking water.
Professional pumping units intervened in houses and areas where there was flooding.
Tankers of drinking water have been provided and distributed in different parts of the places most affected by the floods.
Professional firefighting units, as needed, have opened side channels for water circulation and lowering of the water level.
National and local roads have been unblocked. In cases where there has been major infrastructure damage, alternative traffic routes have been provided.
According to the requests of the municipalities, beds, blankets, medicines, hygiene packages, clothes and food have been provided.
The evacuation of the families and the evacuated families were then taken care of by the Kosovo Security Force through the National Guard and Search and Rescue teams.
Now, as we are working together to repair the damage caused, in addition to the consequence, we must also deal with the causes of the scale of the floods.
Damage to banks and riverbeds from wild gravel mining, dumping of waste in rivers, illegal logging and lack of afforestation, inadequate sewage and water collection systems, inadequate planning of public infrastructure, and global climate change, have undoubtedly facilitated, accelerated and frequented the floods in our settlements.
In addition to assessing the damage, we must also reassess our behavior towards the environment and nature. At the same time, to improve even more our reaction and the responsibilities of the institutions in their prevention. We also need an investigation into illegal actions to the detriment of the ecosystem. Recovery is not enough if we do not learn lessons. It is not enough to overcome the situation, if it is repeated. We need institutional and social awareness and mobilization.
We will always stand by the municipalities, families, businesses and citizens from the affected areas. Help from the Government will not be missing for a moment. Skenderaj, Mitrovica, Klina, Istog and Podujeva, together, shall raise.
Thank you!
Last modified: January 25, 2023